BackgroundHuman adipose tissue is an ideal autologous source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for various regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies. Aged patients are one of the primary target populations for many promising applications. It has long been known that advanced age is negatively correlated with an organism’s reparative and regenerative potential, but little and conflicting information is available about the effects of age on the quality of human adipose tissue derived MSCs (hAT-MSCs).MethodsTo study the influence of age, the expansion and in vitro differentiation potential of hAT-MSCs from young (<30 years), adult (35-50 years) and aged (>60 years) individuals were investigated. MSCs were characterized for expression of the genes p16INK4a and p21 along with measurements of population doublings (PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, cellular senescence and differentiation potential.ResultsAged MSCs displayed senescent features when compared with cells isolated from young donors, concomitant with reduced viability and proliferation. These features were also associated with significantly reduced differentiation potential in aged MSCs compared to young MSCs.ConclusionsIn conclusion, advancing age negatively impacts stem cell function and such age related alterations may be detrimental for successful stem cell therapies.

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Decline in the function of stem cells with age, such as other cells of the body, results in an imbalance between loss and renewal. Increasing age of the donor thus diminishes the effectiveness of MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) transplantation in age-related diseases. The clinical use of stem cell therapies needs autologous stem cell transplantation; it is essential therefore to study the repair ability and survivability of cells before transplantation. Bone marrow derived MSCs possess multi-lineage differentiation potential, but aging adversely affects their therapeutic efficacy. MSCs from young (2-3 months) and aged (23-24 months) GFP (green fluorescent protein)-expressing C57BL/6 mice were isolated and their regenerative potential was assessed in vitro. Real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-PCR) showed significantly higher expression of Sirt1 in MSCs isolated from young than older animals. Down-regulation of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), SDF-1 (stromal-cell-derived factor 1), AKT (also known as protein kinase B) and up-regulation of p53, p21, Bax and p16 occurred in aged cells. Tube formation, wound healing and proliferative abilities of the young MSCs were better than the aged MSCs. The results suggest that age-related increased expression of apoptotic and senescent genes, with concomitant decrease in Sirt1 gene expression, inhibits to some extent stem cell functioning.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive candidate for autologous cell therapy, but their ability to repair damaged myocardium is severely compromised with advanced age. Development of viable autologous cell therapy for treatment of heart failure in the elderly requires the need to address MSC ageing. In this study, MSCs from young (2 months) and aged (24 months) C57BL/6 mice were characterized for gene expression of IGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF, SIRT-1, AKT, p16INK4a, p21 and p53 along with measurements of population doubling (PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and apoptosis. Aged MSCs displayed senescent features compared with cells isolated from young animals and therefore were pre-conditioned with glucose depletion to enhance age affected function. Pre-conditioning of aged MSCs led to an increase in expression of IGF-1, AKT and SIRT-1 concomitant with enhanced viability, proliferation and delayed senescence. To determine the myocardial repair capability of pre-conditioned aged MSCs, myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in 24 months old C57BL/6 wild type mice and GFP expressing untreated and pre-conditioned aged MSCs were transplanted. Hearts transplanted with pre-conditioned aged MSCs showed increased expression of paracrine factors, such as IGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF and SDF-1α. This was associated with significantly improved cardiac performance as measured by dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin, LVEDP and LVDP, declined left ventricle (LV) fibrosis and apoptosis as measured by Masson's Trichrome and TUNEL assays, respectively, after 30 days of transplantation. In conclusion, pre-conditioning of aged MSCs with glucose depletion can enhance proliferation, delay senescence and restore the ability of aged cells to repair senescent infarcted myocardium.

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The aim of this study was to compare the quality of postburn facial scars before and after injection of unfiltered nanofat. The study was performed in the Plastic Surgery Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2015 to December 2016. Forty-eight patients with postburn facial scars were included; age range was 4 to 32 years with Fitzpatrick skin types between 3 and 4. Patients with hypertrophic scars, contractures, or keloids were excluded. Scars were assessed by a senior plastic surgeon and the patient on the POSAS (Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale). Fat was harvested from the abdomen and/or thighs with a 3-mm multiport liposuction cannula (containing several sharp side holes of 1 mm) using Coleman technique. The harvested fat was emulsified and transferred into 1-mL Luer-Lock syringes for injection into the subdermal or intradermal plane. Final follow-up was scheduled at 6 months, and scar was rated by the patient and the same surgeon on the POSAS. Preoperative and postoperative scar scores were compared, and P values were calculated. Results indicated that after nanofat grafting, there was a statistically significant improvement in scar quality. The most significant improvements on the observer scale were seen in pigmentation and pliability (P < 0.0001). Thickness and relief were the least improved variables (P = of 0.785 and 0.99, respectively). ImageJ scanning also showed pigmentation change (P = 0.076). A statistically significant improvement was seen in all parameters of the patient section of the POSAS (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, unfiltered nanofat grafting seems to be a promising and effective therapeutic approach in postburn facial scars, showing significant improvement in scar quality. The trial was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov with following ID NCT03352297.

Background Since antiquity, humans have been trying to devise remedies to cure androgenetic alopecia (AGA). These efforts include use of oral and topical concoctions and hair transplant strategies. As AGA affects people of all colors and creed, there has been a continuous effort to find a magic bullet against AGA. Unfortunately, to date, all the strategies to negate AGA effects have limitations and thus require new treatment options. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of use of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in androgenetic alopecia patients. Methods Stromal vascular fraction was obtained by enzymatic digestion of autologous adipose tissue. The patients were divided into two groups, that is, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) group and SVF‐PRP group. In PRP group, only PRP was injected, while in SVF‐PRP group a mixture of PRP and SVF was injected in affected scalp areas. After two sessions (4 weeks apart), the patients in both groups were assessed and analyzed using various parameters. Results Mean hair density in PRP group was increased from 52.44 hair/cm2 to 63.72 hair/cm2 (21.51% increase); while in SVF‐PRP group, it was 37.66 hair/cm2 before treatment and 57.11 hair/cm2 after SVF‐PRP therapy (51.64% increase). Percentage reduction in pull test was more significant in SVF‐PRP group (80.78 ± 5.84) as compared to PRP group (34.01 ± 22.44). The physician and patient assessment scores also indicated a significant improvement in SVF‐PRP group. Conclusion A combined SVF‐PRP therapy reversed effects of AGA more efficiently as compared to PRP therapy alone.